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Monthly Archives: January 2012

A wild wolf named OR7 recently crossed into northern California from Oregon. Animal rights activists are following this single wolf’s fate, which has taken on somewhat or a celebrity cult status. The wolf already has a couple twitter users representing him and several groups have started making t-shirts and sweaters. This reminds me a bit of those Yellowstone shirts I had as a kid with a picture of a howling wolf on them. I wonder if this will be the new trend….BTW, I’m totally getting a retro wolf t-shirt.

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Allen Daniels/The Medford Mail Tribune

Officials say this image from a trail camera in south Oregon is probably of OR7. More Photos »

On Dec. 28, a 2 1/2 -year-old gray wolf crossed the state line from Oregon, becoming the first of his species to run wild here in 88 years.

His arrival has prompted news articles, attracted feverish fans and sent wildlife officials scrambling to prepare for a new and unfamiliar predator.

“California has more people with more opinions than other states,” said Mark Stopher, senior policy adviser for the California Department of Fish and Game. “We have people calling, saying we should find him a girlfriend as soon as possible and let them settle down. Some people say we should clear humans out of parts of the state and make a wolf sanctuary.”

The wolf, known to biologists as OR7, owes his fame to the GPS collar around his neck, which has allowed scientists and fans alike to use maps to follow his 1,000-mile, lovelorn trek south from his birthplace in northeastern Oregon.

Along the way, OR7 has accrued an almost cultlike status.

“People are going to get wolf tattoos, wolf sweaters, wolf key chains, wolf hats,” said Patrick Valentino, a board member with the California Wolf Center, a nonprofit advocacy and education organization.

In Oregon, students participated in art contests to draw OR7’s likeness and a competition to rename him (the winner: “Journey”). This month, people across the country attended full-moon, candlelight wolf vigils organized by groups with names like Howl Across America and Wolf Warriors.

As with seemingly all wayward and famous animals these days, the wolf has a lively virtual existence on social networking sites like Twitter, where at least two Twitter accounts have been posting from the wolf’s perspective.

“Left family to find wife & new home. eHarmony just wasn’t working for me,” read one Twitter profile. Another account, which describes the wolf’s hobbies as “wandering, ungulates,” recently had in a post: “Why is everyone so worried about my love life?”

The wolf’s presence has also set off more practical responses from state wildlife officials, who are hustling to prepare for what they now see as the inevitability of wild gray wolves here.

In mid-January, the California Department of Fish and Game put up a gray wolf Web site that includes a map of OR7’s trek and a 36-page explainer on the species. The department has already begun a series of public meetings with local governments in the state’s northern counties, where wolves are most likely to take up residence first.

Biologists say that OR7 is unlikely to survive long hunting alone without a pack and that it could be as many as 10 years before wild wolf packs roam northern California. Still, state and federal wildlife officials met Friday to discuss a strategy for wolves.

Next month, state biologists will get training by the Agriculture Department to identify livestock killed by wolves.

Once widespread across much of the country, gray wolves were nearly extinct in the contiguous United States by the early 20th century, killed by government trappers, ranchers and hunters. In 1974, the gray wolf was listed as endangered under the newly established Endangered Species Act. Then in 1995 and 1996 wildlife officials released 66 Canadian wolves into Yellowstone National Park and central Idaho, an area that is now home to nearly 1,700 wolves.

Wolves have been remarkably successful in reinhabiting their old terrain. In recent years regulators removed wolves from the endangered list for much of the northern Rocky Mountains and Great Lakes regions. In Idaho and Montana, they can be legally hunted.

In California, gray wolves remain protected under federal law, and the recent appearance of one has flared up large predator agita among ranchers.

“I’m afraid somebody will step up and take this wolf’s life in their own hands,” said Darrell Wood, a cattle rancher. “There are huge state and federal penalties for killing a wolf.”

Mr. Wood’s family has been raising cattle in Lassen County — where OR7 is now and where the state’s last wolf was shot in 1924 — for six generations. “I just hope it wasn’t a relative of mine who shot him,” said Mr. Wood, 56.

Other area residents seemed more interested in the wolf’s place in the mythological pantheon. “What’s next, sparkly vampires?” asked a commenter on a Lassen County Times article about the wolf, an apparent reference to “Twilight,” the vampire and werewolf series.

Ardent wolf fandom and ire do not surprise Ed Bangs, the federal Fish and Wildlife Service’s recently retired wolf recovery coordinator. “When wolves come back, one side says it’s the end of civilization, our children will be dragged down at the bus stop,” he said. “The other side thinks nature is finally back in balance and can we all have a group hug now.”

California will see the same divisions, said Mr. Bangs, who in his 30 years in gray wolf management attended hundreds of contentious meetings with residents, ranchers and environmentalists.

“I like to say wolves are boring,” he said, “but people are fascinating.”

Perhaps you have heard of the online marketplace Etsy where “artists” and artisans can sell various items that they have created. This website seems to be largely by and for hipsters. Here are a few hipster treasures below.

Just in case you haven’t had enough of hipster-staches over the last few years, here are some coasters meant to remind you of all the types of mustaches you’d like to try growing.

Hipster-staches? That’s so last year. Did you hear that beards are making a come back? This handmade, woven beanie has a fake beard attached. Not only does it keep your face warm, but it helps those who can’t grow full beards assimilate into this new look.

Valentine’s day is coming up soon. What better way is there to tell that special someone in your life how much you care then to give them tchotchke in the shape of felt mouse proudly holding the sign “I dig you”. These mousy creations from the “House of Mouse” are each made using simple and old methods, which is part of what makes them unique. Description from their listing on Etsy: “Our most elaborate piece of equipment is a pair of scissors. Each mouse is individually hand sewn using old-fashioned needle and thread. Every mouse is dressed with great care and attention to the tiniest details.” Also featured below are some other interesting mouse creations.

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Thanks to those who contributed ideas. If you have more ideas please send them to me at missionhipstersblog@gmail.com.

1. Play back-up for a friend’s indie rock band.
2. Learn to play an impractical instrument – like the ukulele, mandolin, or banjo.
3. Start a folk band and redefine what “local music” would mean today.
4. Make more mixed tapes for my friends.
5. Throw a period piece party.
6. Trade my digital camera in for a Polaroid.
7. Sell my car and get a fixed-gear bike.
8. Sell my bike and get a unicycle.
9. Pledge to buy only organic, sustainably made v-neck shirts.
10. Only shower once a week to save water, or even better, get a pool membership so I can save water by not showering as much.
11. Sell all my old clothes to Buffalo Exchange because too many people are now wearing the same items.
12. Make some new clothing accessories (belts, fanny packs, satchels, etc) from items found in trash bins.
13. Buy some bell bottom pants because I hear they are coming back in style.
14. Write more – finish the screen play I’ve been working on.
15. Move to a smaller city since the one I live in kind of played out.